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Toyota Auris (2007 - )

What's Good

New name replaced Corolla after 40 years. Called Netz in Japan. Same family look as Aygo and HiLux. Launched as a 'concept' at September 2006 Paris Show. On sale in Japan from Japan 23-10-06. Designed and built in Europe. “Inside-out” design approach maximises usable interior space. Three and five-door hatchback body styles. Launched with two petrol and three diesel engines, including new 1.6-litre petrol with Dual VVT-i. Public debut at the Bologna Motor Show on 5 December. UK sales from February 2007 (3-dr and T180 from April 2007). 4,220mm long x 1,760mm wide x 1,515mm high with 2,600mm wheelbase. Sculpted console forms a bridge raising the gear lever and other controls to the perfect ergonomic height. New 1.6-litre petrol engine uses dual VVT-i valve timing system for highly efficient combustion, raising fuel efficiency and increasing power. 2.0-litre D-4D 130 engine has a power output of 124bhp and was first utilised in the 2007 Avensis, launched a few months ago. The 2.2 D-4D 180 is equipped with Toyota’s unique D-CAT clean diesel technology, which simultaneously reduces nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulate emissions. Wide choice of gearboxes, including a six-speed manual standard on the 2.0 D-4D 130 and 2.2 D-4D 180. MultiMode system with paddle shift controls available as an option on the 1.4 D-4D 90 and 1.6 Dual VVT-i engines. UK cars built at Burnaston, Derbyshire.

1.4 VVT-i 96/97 bhp @ 6,000, 130Nm @ 4,400, 106mph, 0-60 12.7

1.6 Dual VVT-i 122/124 bhp @ 6,000, 157Nm @ 5,200, 118mph, 0-60 10.1 (11.8MM)

1.4 D-4D 90 89/90 bhp @ 3,800, 190Nm @ 1,800-3,000, 109mph, 0-60 11.7 (14.4MM)

2.0 D-4D 130 124/126 bhp @ 3,600, 300Nm @ 2,000-2,800, 121mph, 0-60 10.0

2.2 D-4D 180 175/177 @ 3,600, 400Nm @ 2,000-2,500, 130mph, 0-60 7.8

December 2006: Auris hatchback awarded 35 NCAP points (5-star NCAP rating). Minimal intrusion cabin design and up to nine airbags boost safety rating. 4-stars for child occupant protection. 3-stars pedestrian protection. Driver’s knee airbag as standard.

Toyota Financial Services has announced its Contract Hire rates. The Auris T3 1.4 D-4D 3 door is available from £229 per month (plus VAT and initial payment) and the Auris T3 1.4 D-4D 5 door at £249 per month (plus VAT and initial payment). Both contracts are based on three years, 20,000 miles per annum for business users and are exclusive of maintenance.

Flagship 5-dr T180 diesel on sale from 1-4-07 at £18,795. Both Group 13 insurance. 3-dr models also launched 1-4-07 at £500 less than equivalent 5-drs. This is really good to drive. Steers well and grips well without having an uncomfortably harsh ride.

Emissions of 2.0 D-4D 130 reduced from 151g/km to 149g/km in March 2007 to move it from Band D to Band C and save £40 VED a year.

Front bumper of the Toyota Auris achieved an ‘Acceptable’ rating in ABI Thatchan damageability test results published in December 2007.

New sports-focused Toyota Auris SR180 flagship model announced 21-12-2007 for delivery January 2008. Toyota Motorsport lowered suspension and rear spoiler. Dark-tinted rear privacy glass. 17-inch alloy wheels. 175bhp 2.2 D-4D engine gives 0 to 60mph acceleration in 7.8 seconds. On sale on 1 January 2008. Prices £17,995 (three-door) and £18,495 (five-door).


Extended range of SR and TR Auris models from Spring 2008.

New SR models powered by the 1.6 Dual VVT-i petrol and 2.0 D-4D 130 diesel engines. Have lowered sports suspension, 17-inch alloy wheels, both from Toyota Motorsport. Other stand-out features include a Toyota Motorsport rear spoiler and dark-tinted privacy glass – items shared with the SR180. Also have nine airbags, climate control air conditioning, leather-trimmed steering wheel with audio controls, front fog lamps, six-speaker sound system and body colour-matched door handles and mirrors.

New Auris TR has automatic dual zone air conditioning. Touch-of-a-dial control of left and right-side cabin temperatures tops the bill in a series of new features for the TR grade. Five-spoke 16-inch alloy wheels, distinctive blue interior seat trim and chrome rear trim detailing. Like the new SR (above), the specification also includes nine airbags, front fog lamps, leather-trimmed steering wheel with audio controls, six-speaker sound system and body colour-matched door handles and mirrors. TR available with 1.4 and 1.6 VVT-i petrol and 2.0 D-4D 130 diesel engines. Optional MultiMode transmission is available with the 1.6 unit.

AURIS GRADE STRUCTURE

The introduction of the new TR and SR models takes the number of grades in the Auris range to six:
T2, TR, T3, SR, T Spirit and SR180.

Prices, emissions, VED and insurance

MODEL
OTR PRICE
CO2 EMISSIONS
VED BAND
INSURANCE GROUP

TR 1.4 VVT-i 3dr manual £12,995 163g/km VED band D, IG 4E
TR 1.6 VVT-i 3dr manual £13,495 166g/km VED band E, IG 5E
TR 1.6 VVT-i 3dr MultiMode £14,045 161g/km VED band D, IG 5E
TR 2.0 D-4D 3dr manual £15,095 144g/km VED band C, IG 6E
TR 1.4 VVT-i 5dr manual £13,495 163g/km VED band D, IG 4E
TR 1.6 VVT-i 5dr manual £13,995 166g/km VED band E, IG 5E
TR 1.6 VVT-i 5dr MultiMode £14,545 161g/km VED band D, IG 5E
TR 2.0 D-4D 5dr manual £15,595 144g/km VED band C, IG 6E
SR 1.6 VVT-i 3dr manual £14,495 166g/km VED band E, IG 5E
SR 1.6 VVT-i 3dr MultiMode £15,045 161g/km VED band D, IG 5E
SR 2.0 D-4D 3dr manual £16,095 144g/km VED band C, IG 6E
SR 1.6 VVT-i 5dr manual £14,995 166g/km VED band E, IG 5E
SR 1.6 VVT-i 5dr MultiMode £15,545 161g/km VED band D, IG 5E
SR 2.0 D-4D 5dr manual £16,595 144g/km VED band C, IG 6E

19-11-2008: All-new 1.33-litre Dual VVT-i petrol engine with Stop&Start introduced in Toyota Auris Developed with Toyota Optimal Drive, Toyota’s comprehensive technology for achieving optimum engine efficiency, fuel economy and reduced emissions with no compromise in driving pleasure 17 per cent lower CO2 emissions (135g/km) and 19 per cent improvement in fuel consumption (48.7mpg combined cycle) compared to previous 1.4-litre VVT-i unit Stop& Start enables quiet, automatic engine stop and re-start when vehicle is stationary and in neutral. Compact and lightweight new 100bhp (101 DIN hp) 1.33-litre Dual VVT-i engine, to be built at TMUK plant in Deeside, North Wales. New six-speed manual transmission. On sale November 2008, on-the-road prices from £12,705 (T2 three-door).

18-4-2009: Toyota Auris revised for 2009 with new Toyota Optimal Drive powertrains. Introduction to range of new 1.6-litre Valvematic petrol engine with nine per cent better fuel economy, eight per cent lower CO2 emissions, but six per cent more power compared to previous 1.6 VVT-i unit. 1.4 and 2.0 D-4D and 2.2 D-CAT 180 engines revised for more torque, lower emissions and improved fuel efficiency. Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) added to 2.0 D-4D engine, bringing emissions in line with Euro 5 standards. New six-speed manual and MultiMode transmissions. Revised grade structure with four trim levels – T2, TR, T Spirit and SR180. On sale from 18-4-2009, prices from £12,900 on the road.

17-7-2009: Toyota to manufacture full hybrid Auris in the United KingdomToyota Motor Europe (TME) today announced plans to manufacture a full hybrid version of its C-segment hatchback, Auris, at its UK-based facility in Burnaston, Derbyshire. Production of Toyota’s first European-built full hybrid will kick-off at Toyota Motor
Manufacturing (UK) Ltd (TMUK) in mid-2010. Engines will be produced at TMUK's facility in Deeside, North Wales.

1-9-2009: Toyota Auris HSD Full Hybrid Concept launched at September 2009 Frankfurt Motor show, introducing Toyota’s full hybrid technology to a mainstream model, and the first step in the deployment of 'Hybrid Synergy Drive' across the company’s model range. Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrain, shared with latest generation Prius. Sub-100g/km CO2 emissions, class-leading combined cycle fuel consumption and 0-62mph acceleration in around 10 seconds. Detailed exterior styling changes to improve aerodynamic performance. Extension of on-board solar power technology. Auris HSD Full Hybrid production model to be built at TMUK’s Burnaston factory. Sales scheduled to start during second half of 2010. ‘Full Hybrid’ means the car can be driven on petrol engine alone, electric motor alone or combination of both. Not all hybrids can do this.

Road test 2.0 D-4D 130 and 1.6 MMT at: www.honestjohn.co.uk/road_tests/index.htm?id=259

Road test SR180 at www.honestjohn.co.uk/road_tests/index.htm?id=319

More at www.toyota.co.uk

Last updated 3-11-2009

What's Bad

Owner/Driver feedback welcome. Production problems with Traction Control and Vehicle Stability Control delayed delivery of cars fitted with these until May 2007.

What to Watch Out For

Owner/Driver feedback welcome.

Apparent problem of nearside front brake squeal, though may be surface rust on the discs.

Problem reported with Multi Mode automated manual: "in automatic mode the car has three times without warning gone to full revs. I have managed to stop and put the car into neutral, then the revs go down from 8,000 to 1,000 then to a tick over, There is a problem somewhere with this gearbox, in manual mode it is fine except when coming to a junction when it throws itself into first gear, when then you come to a shuddering halt."

Further report of Multi Mode actuator/software problems: "On occasions, perhaps about 4 or 5 times a week, when slowing to a junction or traffic lights and the speed is low enough, the transmission will change down to first gear, but when wanting to accelerate before coming to a complete stop the transmission will remain in first gear. The only way to prompt it to change up is to shift to manual mode and back to automatic and then everything appears to work fine again."

Recalls

28/01/2009 R/2008/189 TOYOTA Auris rear brake calipers may detach (build dates 02/01/2008 to 02/01/2008).

November 2009: Recall/TSB for steering bush modification to 2007 build Auris